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"I suspect the Raikage called this Five Kage Summit to demand answers," Tsunade said, lowering her gaze to the tea in her cup. "According to intelligence, the Akatsuki has ties to every major village—except Kumogakure."
Kaito nodded. "From what I know, the Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki are as close as brothers. If he can't swallow this humiliation, his ultimate goal is to use this as leverage to unite the villages and pool their strength to eradicate the Akatsuki."
"True." Tsunade lifted her eyes, giving him a knowing smirk. "And that's exactly what you anticipated, isn't it?"
Kaito smiled faintly, turning his gaze to the snow-covered landscape outside the window.
"Under normal circumstances, even with leverage, the Raikage's demands would be difficult to fulfill," he said, shifting his attention back to Tsunade. "But now, with Nagato—who also seeks war—in the picture, the Five Great Shinobi Villages, despite their mutual hostility, will have no choice but to unite."
"Only after confirming that Nagato possesses power beyond what any single village can handle alone," Tsunade remarked, well aware of how difficult true cooperation between the villages would be.
"That day will come," Kaito said with certainty.
Tsunade shook her head. "Who would've thought that the current state of the shinobi world—including the impending war—has been secretly orchestrated by you?"
"No, this time, I won't be doing anything."
Kaito gave a mysterious smile and set his teacup down on the table.
"Fate tends to follow its original trajectory by inertia. In the past, I merely nudged things slightly."
"You've already done more than enough!" Tsunade also set down her cup, stretching as she stood. "Who knows where you'll ultimately lead this world? As someone who's already died once, I don't have the energy to worry about it anymore."
She walked to the bed and turned to glare at him. "Whatever you plan to do at the Five Kage Summit, I'm going to rest now. You should leave."
Kaito remained unfazed. "Lady Tsunade, your current body is essentially a vessel crafted from the Divine Tree. You don't actually need rest."
"When I say I'm resting, I'm resting." Tsunade tossed her outer robe aside and flopped onto the bed unceremoniously, still glaring at him.
"Understood. I won't disturb you further, Lady Tsunade."
The corner of Kaito's mouth twitched as his figure abruptly shrank, leaving behind only a small paper doll in his place.
The paper doll nimbly leaped onto the table, then onto the windowsill, slipping through a gap in the window and vanishing into the snowstorm outside.
"Hmph."
Tsunade closed her eyes, settling into a light repose.
---
Outside the Window.
The small white paper doll swirled amidst the flurrying snow, rising and falling with the wind until it was finally swept downward by a fierce gust.
At the castle gates, the Land of Iron's general, Mifune, stood waiting with several samurai for the Mizukage's arrival.
The paper doll silently attached itself to the back of one of the samurai, gradually merging into the gaps of his armor.
Unseen beneath the armor, a faint spiritual glow flickered as the mental energy stored within Kaito's paper clone quietly invaded the samurai's consciousness.
Compared to Konoha's Yamanaka clan, Kaito, as an onmyōji, held a far greater advantage in mental manipulation.
The samurai's body stiffened for an instant before returning to normal. Mifune immediately turned his head sharply.
"What's wrong, Kotarō?"
"My apologies, General," Kaito—controlling the samurai—bowed his head.
Mifune wasn't overly harsh, merely asking, "You seemed distracted just now. What's the matter?"
Having previously investigated the basic details of his targets, Kaito's paper clone awkwardly rubbed the back of his fully enclosed helmet.
"I… forgot to buy the gift I promised my wife," he admitted softly.
Mifune burst into laughter, clapping him on the shoulder. "Ah, newlywed troubles, eh? I remember you just got married. Can't neglect your wife's happiness!"
The surrounding samurai joined in with good-natured teasing.
"A real man doesn't forget his promises to his wife, Kotarō!"
"Better hope she doesn't kick you out of bed tonight!"
Laughter echoed through the group.
Kaito chuckled along awkwardly before bowing again to Mifune. "My apologies, General."
"Don't let it happen again," Mifune said sternly, then addressed the others. "All of you—during the Five Kage Summit, maintain the highest vigilance. Ensure the conference proceeds smoothly in the Land of Iron!"
"Yes, General!" the samurai chorused.
Mifune nodded in satisfaction before turning his gaze back to the road ahead.
"They're here," he announced, straightening. "Prepare to welcome the Mizukage."
Kaito, still controlling Kotarō's body, looked into the distance. Three figures gradually emerged from the snowstorm—a slender woman wearing the Mizukage's hat, a middle-aged man with an eyepatch, and a young man carrying a massive sword.
Soon, they arrived at the gates.
"Welcome, Lady Mizukage!" Mifune stepped forward to greet them.
After brief formalities, a designated escort led the Mizukage and her entourage into the castle.
Kaito had never investigated Kirigakure's affairs before, making this his first encounter with the Fifth Mizukage, who had never before appeared in the shinobi world.
Her strength seems decent, he assessed silently, having subtly probed her as she passed.
"Everyone," Mifune addressed the samurai once the Mizukage had entered.
"Now that all Five Kage have arrived, carry out your assigned guard duties without fail!"
"Yes!"
The samurai dispersed after Mifune, with Kaito's controlled Kotarō remaining by Mifune's side, eventually standing guard outside the general's quarters.
However, shortly after Mifune entered, the towering figure of the Fourth Raikage appeared at the end of the hallway.
"Lord Raikage," Kaito stepped forward. "How may I assist you?"
The Raikage, A, barely spared the fully armored samurai a glance, speaking in a commanding tone. "Inform your general. I have matters to discuss with him."
"Uh…" Kaito exchanged a glance with the other guard.
A's expression darkened, his presence oppressive. "Is there a problem?"
Before they could respond, the door slid open, and Mifune stepped out.
"Lord Raikage."
"General Mifune." A gave a curt nod.
The two locked eyes for a moment before Mifune reluctantly stepped aside. "Please, come in."
"Appreciate it." Though his words were polite, A strode into the room without hesitation.
As the door closed, Kaito extended his sensory perception inside.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Lord Raikage?" Mifune's voice came through clearly.
"General," A's voice was firm. "I'm here to propose an alliance."